Fitzgerald Toussaint Injury: Updates on Michigan RB's Leg

Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint left Saturday's Big Ten showdown against Iowa with a leg injury. The Wolverines junior exited in the first quarter after scampering for 31 yards on just three carries against the Hawkeyes' defense.

Brendan Stiles of HawkeyeDrive.com broke the news on Twitter of the developing, distressing situation involving the Michigan running back:

Toussaint was taken to the UM Medical Center. Doctors have said it's a "lower extremity" injury, and it appeared his left ankle was being worked on. The hospital said Toussaint's condition is "good."

Toussaint had just run an option play and was hit as he was close to running out of bounds. He immediately went to the ground and was on the field for several minutes before trainers boarded him up and put him on the cart.

The training staff on duty handled the injury well, and transferring the junior running back to the hospital was the smart way to properly diagnose the injury and the course of action for getting the young star back on the field ASAP.

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It certainly isn't good that Toussaint is getting the cart, as Michigan still has a definite opportunity to reach the Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin by winning the Legends Division. The Wolverines were tied with Nebraska entering Week 12.

Much of that was thanks to a massive improvement from Toussaint lately. After severely struggling early in 2012 both on and off the field, he had averaged more than five yards per carry in each of his previous two starts with backup QB Devin Gardner (who usually lines up at wide receiver) under center.

Toussaint's play recently was highlighted by a 28-yard touchdown catch in last week's 38-31 thrilling overtime victory over Northwestern, a win that vaulted Michigan back into the Top 25.

In Toussaint's absence, starting QB Denard Robinson may be placed in the backfield more prominently due to the recent emergence of Gardner, who has won his past two starts in conference play. Otherwise, it's up to sophomore Thomas Rawls to step up his game. Rawls averages five yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns on just 44 carries.

Considering that Toussaint was carted off the field, Wolverines fans shouldn't get their hopes up that he will return anytime soon.

Fitz Toussaint said to be in good condition at hospital, ESPN reports.